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October 27, 2010

Humpastry Day-Pear Bread and DIY Pumpkin Latte!

Pear Bread

I just realized that it's been about 3 weeks since I posted a recipe! Yikes! Hopefully the fact that I'm posting two recipes will make up for it! :)

I had some pears that were starting to get a little too ripe and I didn't want to throw them away. So, I decided to try making some pear bread. I have never had pear bread, and I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but I was pleasantly surprised with the result. This bread doesn't rise up like yeast breads, but it is moist and really good plain or warmed with melted butter on top. I don't usually put nuts in my breads, but I think the combination of pears and pecans worked nicely. However, if you have a nut allergy, this bread would be good without them as well.

Ingredients:

Makes 2 loaves *Note: this bread freezes really well. I usually keep one loaf to eat, and freeze the other one.

6. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.

7. Pour the batter into the two prepared loaf pans.

8. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

9. Cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely

10. Enjoy!

DIY Pumpkin Latte:

I'm sure we've all seen the return of the Pumpkin Latte at Starbucks. I really like their drink, but I could do without spending the money. I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and tweaked it a little bit after some trial and error. Let me tell you, this is soooo good! I actually like it better than the one at Starbucks. And, it's A LOT cheaper to do and is super easy to make. You can drink it as is, or add some of your favorite morning coffee to it.

We made this when we carved our pumpkins and my boys loved it! Now that the weather is getting colder, it's nice to have a fun, warm drink, other than hot chocolate. :) I hope you like it!

Ingredients:

Makes 4 grande size servings

* 1C pumpkin puree (just pumpkin, NOT canned pumpkin pie puree)

* 1 quart (4cups) soymilk

* 1/4C sugar **Note: this could definitely be decreased. I usually start with less, than add more if I think it needs it.

* 1Tbl. vanilla extract

* 3/4tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat over medium heat.

2. Use a whisk to blend well.

**Note: The brown flecks in the picture are the spices. This is pre-blended. You have to keep whisking in order to incorporate the spices into the milk. I usually use my immersion blender (best device EVER!!) to get it completely mixed in.

3. Heat to a simmer, do not boil.

4. Pour into your mugs and enjoy!!! **Note: if you want to add coffee to it, I usually fill the mug 3/4 full of latte, then fill the rest with coffee. Yum, yum, yum!!

oh yum yum yum!! I have several pears that need to be used TODAY and I just happen to have all ing's on hand for the bread. PROJECT!!PLUSI have been drinking pumpkin spice coffee like water-SO delish! but your latte looks great. (will try with Almond milk though)Thanks for a couple great fall recipes!

YUM! I had a similar pumpkin spice recipe----mmmmmmm! My hub and I make up a batch of the pumpkin spice stuff and keep it in the fridge and then add coffee to it in the morning and re-heat, it's so good.

PS I was thinking the other day about how I could totally go vegetarian but then realized how much I use eggs---in baking, etc---then, I realized you bake all the time and don't use eggs. Are your recipes from the Brain of Aimee or do you find them online?

ok-so I told you I was making that bread right?? YUP! DELISH-I even had to sub in a very ripe banana for a pear (I was short one!!) and it still came out amazing.So moist and rich. LOVE IT.THank you so much. Sharing this with my mommy's fitness group :D

Jason-I hope the latte's turned out well and you got the best husband of the year award! :)

Kevin-you crack me up! No orange skin yet, but the season isn't over yet! :)

Alisa-when I first went vegetarian I was worried about the egg part of it b/c I love to bake. But, I started doing a lot of research online and in cook books and realized you don't really need eggs at all! About my recipes, some of them I get from online and just tweak to use healthier ingredients, while others I come up with on my own!

JenniferLeah- I'm so glad you liked the bread! I like the idea of adding a ripe banana...yum!